Christopher Paolini’s To Sleep in a Sea of Stars starts off with an intriguing take on the first contact story. As I only had a partial review copy, I'm looking forward to seeing if Paolini keeps up the action in this fun new Space Opera. Highly Recommended.
Recommended
Review: Peace Talks (Dresden Files #16)
Jim Butcher's Peace Talks delivers exactly what I want from a Dresden Files novel. Highly recommended.
Review: Hiding in Plain Sight
Sarah Kendzior's Hiding in Plain Sight is beautifully written, thoroughly researched, and absolutely terrifying. Highly recommended.
Review: John Adams Under Fire
National myths set a foundation for a country's character. One of my favorites is how John Adams defended British soldiers after the Boston Massacre. His actions show that everyone, even people that we despise. In the United States, the law is the supreme arbiter, and we all are equal under the law. But myths also … Continue reading Review: John Adams Under Fire
Review: Unmaking the Presidency
Already much more fraught than anyone expected, 2020 is here. Potential war on the horizon, impeachment battles, and a fall election loom over the United States. The third year of the Trump presidency is coming to a close, and the fourth - hopefully, final - year of this administration promises to be as controversial and … Continue reading Review: Unmaking the Presidency
Review: Retreat from Moscow
Once, I watched a friend build frames for a renovation on his house. He built a solid frame that would hold up under building codes, but he didn't know why those codes existed. How did the code relate to the actual loading and structural requirements? What was really happening with the loads in the frames? … Continue reading Review: Retreat from Moscow
Review: Sailing True North
When studying leadership, looking to leaders of the past provide ample examples of the characteristics of good leaders. Studying the character of leaders that you admire is a great way to prepare yourself to be a leader. In Sailing True North, Admiral James Stavridis (retired) sketches quick biographies of ten admirals that he admires. Stretching … Continue reading Review: Sailing True North
Review: Fallen (Alex Verus #10)
I always loved the Dungeons and Dragons alignment tables. The world has always felt too big to just slip everything into a good versus evil fight. It lacks nuance. But the addition of neutral adds a third option and instant complexity. Neutrality incites questions. If the character doesn't choose evil, why wouldn't the character choose … Continue reading Review: Fallen (Alex Verus #10)
Review: The Elements of Fiction
I have a confession to make. I’ve never read any Easy Rawlins books. That series has always been on my to be read list, and one day at the library, I picked up what I thought was an Easy Rawlins novel. In my defense, I was in a hurry and just saw the name Walter … Continue reading Review: The Elements of Fiction
Review: How to Be an Antiracist
Once while riding in a van headed to the airport after a few days of martial arts training, I told a story to the friends I traveled with. I don't remember the story at all, but I distinctly remember one part of it. At some point, I said "…the black man…" and my friend replied, … Continue reading Review: How to Be an Antiracist